Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 643, James Eager, New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
New York
Eager, James Esther
W. 643
B.L.H. 11055-160-55
CONTENTS

New York. N o 24,770
Sub to M c Clayh ap l 16 1840.
James Eager of Essex Co. in the State of New York who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Goddard of the Reg t V. commanded by Col. Newkirk in the New York Troops time for 10. months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 1/3 Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
upate of Pension issued the 22 day of Feb. 1834 and sent to E. Pearson Ticonderoga N. Y.
years to the 4th of Sept. 1833 83.33 1/3 De-ant. allowance ending March 31, 16.66 2/3
$100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, book E, Vol. 4 Page 55
rec d June 1, 1838 See C.B.

2180
Very York, Albany
Esther Eager widow of
James Eager who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of Sept r 53 sent to
Hon G. P. Moore Niagara Falls N.Y.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 72 Vol. 11
1832

53. 521
act March 3/55 Cir B. H. Baldwin Sept 18/55 April 9/55-
Esther Eager. widow of James Eager. min.
capt col
} new York Me
Private Col. Wiesenfeldt N.Y. Troops Wars of Revolution
Rec Pension. act Feb 3. 1853
No 111 July 53 - no 218 Brynton Ad. 160 as Nov 20/55 Dodge
Rev. J. H.
Benj. L. Baldwin Present
Vol. E. 2. —

James Cagney Application for Pardon
E. Peabody Pocahontas W. Va.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of New York
County of Ulster ss: On this 19th day of Decr December personally appeared before the subscriber a judge of Ulster Common Pleas James Eager a resident of the town of Rondout aged Sixty and Seven (70) years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration on his oath in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he was in the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. That in the Summer of 1777 - 1778 he resided with his Uncle James while in Orange Ulster County N.Y. town of Montgomery (Now in Orange County) - his Uncle was under engagement to serve six days in each month in case he was called upon during the above seasons commencing when the Indian Hosts came in & continued till Winter set in - this applicant did duty or substitute for his said Uncle during said seasons whenever occasion called. His Colonel was Jacob Newkirk Captain he was enrolled under Abutice Totten but did duty under Captain John Newkirk nephew of Colonel Newkirk - no other officers recruited - he was out on numerous several scouting parties during the above seasons but from old age the consequent loss of memory he cannot specify them particularly - he was sometimes out a day or two or more - he was out considerably more than the six days in each month - he was out in the whole during said seasons not less than three months - he received no winter discharge - & no letter - no marching only moved from place to place - in the year 1777 the fort at a place called Peekskill in Orange County now Ulster he was not present having been thrown from a horse which in going to the said fort also carried home & was unable to

to do only cause for three weeks - this happened we think in the month of September (1777) - he was also in service the year 1779 in the same regiment as above in Captain Fetter company - he was out on an alarm on in April of the same year - he was out six days - he marched from his uncle's residence in Montgomery to P'keepsie - he volunteered - he was in no battle - he was stationed or encamped at P'keepsie during the six days -
He enlisted in the fore part of June 1781 - His officers were Colonel Frederick Weyenfelt a Dutchman of New York Capt. Henry Goddard Major Ordeus Logue Adjutant John Welch Lieutenants were Alexander McClellan & Parryke - his regiment was encamped  in Loudoun Co. in the Division commanded by Lord Shelburne he was mustered at Newburgh N.Y. - He resided in the same place before in Montgomery County of Ulster N.Y. - He marched from Newburgh to Fishkill N.Y. where joined the remainder of the regiment where he had six weeks drilling & other doing other duties - Marched from there to New Point N.Y. stayed there one day & went on board of 2 sloops to Albany the regiment remaining at this place until Point N.Y. Captains Dodge & Goddard companies - stayed about 2 weeks at Albany preparing for march & drill camp duties - from thence he went with his two companies, Marched to Johnstown N.Y. - here he stayed three weeks or more on duty in the fort & in engagements with Indians & Tories who besieged the fort - he went from this place to Saratoga & then joined the his regiment here he was employed in drilling & building block houses & other works - he remained here till the war, & discharged what was on the first day of January 1782 having served the full term of six months & twenty five days - he was  then  discharged  and  then  joined  the  regiment  again  and  was  discharged  again  in  the  month  of  March  1783  at  Albany  N.Y.
He was born in the year 1763 at Goshen in the county of Orange N.Y. -

... say months, twenty five days - the ... ... in that no one was ...
He was born in the year 1763 at Foster in the county of Orange N.Y. -
Has a record of his age in a book which belonged to his father but does not know when it is -
Since the revolution he lived in the town of Middletown Orange County when called into service till the year 1789 when he removed to Tuckerman N.Y. where he now resides -
He went into the service as a volunteer & substitute who enlisted -
He was with Colonel McClelland Col. Olney Captain Brown & at Saratoga - Col. Willets at Schenectady were with them - with their regiments & companies -
He never received any written discharge -
He never had a commission -
He is known to Father Arthur Esq. Doct Levi Wilcox & Deacon Wadsworth -
He has no documentary evidence of his service & knows of no person who can testify to his services when testimony be ever known -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State -
James Eager Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above said - before me Joseph S. Ward a Judge of Herk Co. Com. Pleas

We Joseph B. Bradburn clergyman residing in the town and of Riverdale aforesaid Elisha Pike residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Eager who has subscribed a room to the above description that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reported & believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolu- tion & that we concur in that opinion -
I soon submitted the same  to the  War Department . on the 29 Aug. 1833 before me
J. B. Bradburn Elisha Pike
Joseph S. Ward a Judge of Essex County Court
And the said Judge hereby declares his opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states & the said judge further certifies that it appears to him that Joseph B. Bradburn who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Riverdale aforesaid that Elisha Pike who has also signed the same is a resident in the same place & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit - & the said judge further certifies that the applicant James Eager is unable from bodily infirmity to attend court to make his application in court -
Joseph S. Ward a Judge of Essex County Court
I Leonard Stone clerk of the court of common Pleas of said county of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Judge in the matter of the application of James Eager for a pension & I further certify

That the said Joseph S. Weed is a Judge of said Court of Common Pleas, & that the above signature purporting to be his signature, are his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, seal & office this 30 th day of August 1835.
Jeremiah Snow (Clerk)
State of New York
County of Essex ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Judge of Essex County Common Pleas, James Eager, who being duly sworn, deposes & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot recollect positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below & in the grade of a private: in the first engagement substituted for his uncle James White three months, in the second engagement 1878 & 1879 about six days & in the third engagement in 1861, six months & twenty five days - for each service he claims a pension. He served under the officers named in his declaration above in the manner above related - he was either in the field or in garrison for the time during which the above-mentioned services were performed - he was not at any time employed in any civil pursuit whatever.
Sworn & Subscribed this 4 th day of December 1833 before me Joseph S. Weed a Judge of Essex County Courts
James Eager
I Leonard Stow Clerk of the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph S. Weed before whom the above affidavit has been taken to have been taken here at the date of said affidavit a Judge of Essex County Courts & that the signature above purporting to be his is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this fourth day of December A.D. 1833.
Leonard Stow Clerk

Esther Dagn Oct 21 st 1853
... some appear in ... County this 5 th day of August 1853 G. H. ... Clerk
G. L. Andrews Pocahontas N. Y.

State of New York
Essex County ss. On this 3 rd day of August AD 1853 personally appeared before me John E. McVine County Judge of the County Court of the County of Essex and State of New York, Esther Eager Eager  Essex a resident of the Town of Piccadilly in the County of Essex and State of New York aged Twenty Nine years Who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 8 th February 1853; granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of James Eager Who was a private in the Revolutionary War, That her said husband the said James Eager was a Revolutionary Pensioner, & was admitted as such under the act of 7 th June 1832, to have his said Pension of Thirty Three Dollars Thirty Three Cents per annum from the 4 th of March 1831, to the time of his death That he was paid at the Albany New York Agency and she therefore refers to the application of the said James Eager on file in the Pension Office at Washi

upon the evidence therein contained to prove the service upon which this application is founded, she further declares that she was married to the said James Eager at the Town of Westport in the County of Essex and State of New York on the 26 th day of February, A.D. 1810 by one Platt Rogers, a justice of the Peace of said County. That there is no record of said marriage to the knowledge of said Declarant. That James Eager (a brother of said James) was residing in the said Town of Pinedale when said marriage was so solemnized. That her said husba- nd died in the said Town of Pinedale on the first day of June A.D. 1857. That she was not married to him prior to the second of January Eighteen Hundred but at the time when stated. She further declares that she is now a widow, has not been married to any other person.
Witness,
J. E. McVine
Esther m Eager mark
Isaac Lofgren attest
Isaac Fleming
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year

above written before me at Secondoga in the county of Essex, and I hereby certify that Esther Eager the above named applicant from bodily infirmary is unable to attend Court
J. G. M c Vinn Essex County Judge
I hereby further certify that the names " Esther Snow " & " Eager " were erased on first page of the foregoing declaration, and that the figure "7" in the date "1857" on the second page was written over and erased before the declaration was signed and sworn to by the said Esther Eager, and that the word or name "Eager" was written in the margin of first page after the word " Esther " before the said declaration was signed and sworn to.
J. G. M c Vinn Essex County Judge

State of New York, Essex County ss. On this 3 day of August A.D. 1853 personally came before Mr. James James Eager of the Town of Pinedale in the County of Essex and State aforesaid and first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that he is a brother of James Eager deceased formerly a resident of Pinedale aforesaid, that the said James Eager was a revolutionary Pensioner under the act of the 7 th of June 1832, That deponent is well acquainted with Esther Eager the person who signed the annexed Declaration, that he well acquainted with her for more than forty five years last past, That on the 26 th day of February A.D. 1816 this deponent was present at Westport in the said County of Essex and saw the said Esther Eager Married to the said James Eager by Platt Rogers one of the Justices of the Peace of the said County of Essex, that previous to the said Marriage the name of said Esther was Ester Snow, that after said Marriage they both rode to Pinedale with this deponent lived together as husband and wife from that time up to the time of the death of said James Eager, That the said James Eager died in the Town of Pinedale aforesaid on the first day of June A.D. 1850, and this deponent further says that he knows the said Esther Eager to be the identical person who signed the annexed Declaration and

and that she is the individual person who was Married to the said Jason Eager as aforesaid, and Who is the Widow of the said Jason Eager deceased, and that this deponent was Eighty Years of age on the 13 th day of October 1852 Signed in presence of J. E. M c Kim Jason Eager
Swore to and subscribed on the day and year above written at Scituate in the County of Essex before me J. E. M c Kim Essex Co. Judge
Further further certify that the above deponent Jason Eager is known to me and that he is a credible person. And I further certify that the word "Jason" in the first page of the above deposition was erased before the deposition was signed and sworn to. J. E. M c Kim Essex Co. Judge

State of New York
Essex County ss. On this 3 rd day of August A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Isaac Thominy — of P'keepsie in the County and State aforesaid aged Fifty Nine years and being by me first duly sworn according to law say that he is well acquainted with Esther Eager who made the annexed Oath and has been well acquainted with her for more than Forty Years past that he is also well acquainted with James Eager deceased her husband in his life time at the time of his death lived in the same neighborhood for several years that he knows the said Esther Eager to be the identical  same person who signed the annexed Oath and the identical person who is the Widow of the said James Eager deceased that the said James Eager was a Revolutionary Soldier and that the said James Eager died in the Town of P'keepsie County of Essex and State aforesaid on the first day of June A.D. 1853 that deponent attended his funeral which have been said
Sworn to & subscribed on this 3 rd day of August before me 1853 Isaac Fleming
I certify that the said Isaac Fleming is a credible person known to me J. M. King Essex Co. Judge

I hereby certify that the Word " Same " in the foregoing affidavit of Grace Fleming was sworn to the Word " Identical " interlined before the said affidavit was signed or sworn to J. M. Wilson Esq. & Counsel
State of New York Essex County ss. On this 3 day of August A.D. 1853 personally came before me Eliza Fleming a resident of Picoenderoga in the County of Essex and State aforesaid _____ aged Fifty Seven years Who being first duly sworn, deposes  according to law deposes to the truth that she is well acquainted with Esther Eager the person who made the to  annexed Declaration, that she is well acquainted with her for Daily years past, that she was also well acquainted with James Eager deceased in his life time, the husband of said Esther Eager & knew that they resided together as husband and wife for more than twenty years previous to his death, and that the said James Eager died in the Town of Picoenderoga aforesaid on the first day of June A.D. 1837, that defendant attended the funeral & saw him buried. That she knows that the said Esther Eager is the identical person who made the annexed Declaration & who is the Widow of the said James Eager deceased. That said James Eager was a respectable person. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me I certify that the said Eliza Fleming is known to me and is a credible person. J. M. Wilson Esq. & Counsel Eliza Fleming

I further certify that the words " according to herewith " in the above deposition of " Elsey Theming " were interlined between the words sworn, & depeneth. Upon the said deposition was signed and sworn to.
J E McVine Essex Co Judge
I hereby further certify that I have no interest in this case, and that I am not concerned in the prosecution thereof.
J E McVine Essex Co Judge
State of New York
Ulster County ss I E A Adams Clerk of said County do hereby certify that J E McVine Esqr whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof or acknowledgement of the annexed Declarations & Swear was on the day of the date of the said Certificate of Proof or acknowledgement the only County Judge of said County residing therein duly qual- ified and authorized by law to take the Proof and acknowledgements of Deeds &c and that I am well acquainted

with the known writing of the said J. E. We the undersigned hereby certify that the signature to the said Certificate of Proof or acknowledgment to be genuine and that said instrument is a true and acknowledged according to the Laws of the State of New York In Witness Whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said County this 5 th day of August A.D. 1853 C. D. Adams Clerk

53, 521
BOUNTY LAND CLAIM
OF
Esther Eager
War.....
No.....
Filed, .....
185
BY
BENJ. H. BALDWIN,
Attorney.
WASHINGTON, D. C.

APPLICATION OF A WIDOW WHO HAS HAD A WARRANT.
STATE OF New York COUNTY OF Essex
On this 30th day of March A. D., 1855, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace, within and for the County and State, aforesaid Esther Eager aged 81 years, a resident of the County of Essex in the State of New York who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of James Eager deceased, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ in the Regiment of New York militia, commanded by Col. _____ in the War with Great Britain, declared by the United States, June 1812, 1813  known as the Revolutionary war , that she was married to the said James Eager in the year 1809 , that her maiden name was Esther Snow that her said husband died in the year 1838 and that she is now a widow.
For the proof of these facts she refers to her application for Bounty Land  a Pension under Act of September 28,  Feb'y 3. 1853 , upon which she has obtained a land warrant for  Pension of acres No. $33.33 per annum which she has legally disposed of and cannot now return.  New claims in the State of New York
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which she may be entitled under Act of March 3d, 1855, never having received nor applied for bounty land under this or any other Act of Congress except as above stated.  and she refers to her pension papers on file in the Pension office for proof of her said husband's death and marriage Esther Eager mark
AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.
Personally came Isaac B Fleming and Isaac A. W. Fleming residents of the County of Essex in the State aforesaid, who upon oath declare, that they are personally well acquainted with Mrs. Esther Eager and saw her sign (or make her mark to) the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be the identical person therein represented, and that she is now a widow.
Isaac B. Fleming Isaac A. W. Fleming
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me, this Thirtieth day of March 1855; and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be, that the witnesses are credible persons, and that I have no interest in this claim. and that the above erasures & interlineations were made before signing Syman S. Allen J. P.
STATE OF New York COUNTY OF Essex } set.
I hereby certify that Syman S. Allen Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is and was, at the time of taking the same, an acting justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, this 3rd day of March 1855.
M. L. Nicholson Clerk.

28. 178
✓
James Eager
Admitted Private 10 months
E. P. Eager Pocahontas New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov 18 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James Eager
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 - 1778 Camp at Trenton Red Bank 3 Col M'Kinley Promoted to Capt John M'Kinley " Hilt 70 years, New York   1779 6 " " do   1781 6 25 " Col M'Kinley Capt Godwin   10 1  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or any other benefit, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (n) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Every applicant to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and time to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Pay  WIDOW, &c.  an
File No.
643
Esther Bagen, Widow.
James Bagen, Paris. Red. Wan.
Act:
Feb. 3. 185-3.
Index:—Vol.
A
Page
206
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aug. 10, 1853, N o 2694 Chap. of 8 th Reg. 8 th Reg., Ind. Inf. James 8 th Reg., Perry Co., N. York.
P. 8
Age 3 d Feb. 1853. 633 33 1/3 per Annum Com-Feb. 3 d 1853.
Hon. R. Andrews, Piemontega, N. York.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business
10 th Feb 53

Pension Office
27 Sept. 1853
Please Certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid on the date of his death.
Yours Respectfully,
J. M. Wilson
John Wm. Wilson,
James Eager, Apt 1832.
$33.33 p. an. - Paid to 4 th March 1838. - no date of death on our Books.
Widow, says he died 1 st June 37 - this is an error, as he signs his name to the pension, in draw- ing his Pension 9 th March 1838, duly witnessed.
F. Berth
Auditor
Francis Berth His Auditor. Treasur.

No. 53521
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 9, 1855
James Eager Rev. War
Warrant 11055-100-55
Bay H. Baldwin Present

✓ 11,055
✓ S No. 1000

Hon
J. P. Waldo Comt of Pensions Washington D.C.
PAID
53.62 1/4

Department of the Interior,
Pension Office, Official Business.
Secret
Hon. J. M. [illegible] Commissioner of Pensions Benja H. Balderin Esq.
53521
ager
town
Additional Evidence } Act March 3 d 1855 }
Secret
Revolutionary }

Esther Dugre, wid of Laurens July 3 rd act 1853. admitted New York
Revolutionary Penny saved As March 2 1855

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
PENSION OFFICE,
Sept 19
1855.
Sir:
The claim of Esther Eager for bounty land under the act of the 3d of March, 1855, No. 53,521 has been examined and suspended.
The revolutionary service of James Eager the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office. (N. Y. State Troops. Col Weisenfeldt)
The 3d section of said act requires a service of "FOURTEEN DAYS" to be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE."
Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be favorably considered.
Very respectfully,
J. MINOT,
Commissioner.
Benjamin H. Baldwin Esq,
Present.

Washington Nov. 19/85.
Hon. J. Melick Comm'r of Pensions
Sir I beg leave to Enclose herewith Record Evidence of the Service of James Eager for Whose Service his widow Esther Eager is Now claiming Bounty Land under Act March 3 rd 1855. And Whose Case has been suspended as per enclosed Circular -
Respectfully
Benj W Baldwin

State of New-York, COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Albany, November 15 1858.
I Hereby Certify, That on searching the Records in this office for the Registry of Certificates issued in pursuance of a law, passed April 27, 1784, entitled "An Act for the settlement of the pay of Levies and Militia for their services in the late war, and for other purposes therein mentioned," I find the following, viz:
   NAMES. No. OF BOOK. NO. OF CERTIFICATE. DATE. £ S. D. RANK AND NAME OF COMPANY OFFICER. RANK AND NAME OF FIELD OFFICER.     James Ager Private 1 3.193 Nov. 9. 1781 8 8 10 Capt. Henry Godwin Col. Ind ts Wissenfel  
I have examined the Rolls for the items above set forth, and find them to be correct.
E. S. Hasbrouck Clerk.
J. M. Smith Comptroller.

Brief in the case of
Esther Eager. Widow of James Essex County and State of New York. at 3 rd Febry. 1853.
Claim. ("original," to be increased )
Proof exhibited. (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the Act of June, 1832.
Parole proof of marriage by the evidence of Jason Eager, Isaac & Eliza Fleming, of Siconderoga, Essex Co. N.Y.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Hon. G. R. Andrews, Esq.
Name and residence of Agent
Siconderoga,
N.Y.
J. B. Wray, Examining Clerk.

Ticonderoga New York April 12 th 1840.
Dear Sir
I wish to know whether the widow of James Coager Deceased of this town is entitled to draw a Pension or part pension under any of the acts heretofore passed -
Also whether Constant-Whitford now a pensioner of this town is entitled to back pay - What the services of each of them are, how long when & where they served I suppose can be at once ascertained from the applications & papers on file in the Pension Office -
I have the Pension Acts but am un- able to satisfy myself from them and am therefore under the necessity of troubling you -
Very Respectfully Your O bt Servant -
Moses T. Clough
J. L. Edwards Esq. Chairman of Pensions.